Imagine diamonds so pretty you could almost faint...that were sustainably obtained and had little or no environmental impact. Diamonds in the raw. That's the way Todd Reed likes his diamonds. And after seeing them, so do I. Now before you go getting all bleary eyed thinking I've gone green, I haven't. (Unless of course you count the fact these pixels are recycled every day and no humans or plants were harmed in the process. But I'm getting off topic now.) I just hadn't seen pieces like Todd's before. They remind me of an exhibit I saw on the ancient civilization of Ur. The very first civilization known to man. Once we got beyond the velvet ropes and crowds, we were able to step up the the protected glass cases to see the adornments and jewels created by these Sumerians. You might be tempted to think that what we saw was primitive at best. Truly, we were impressed. Ornate headpieces sat alongside heavily jeweled necklaces. (If you think those Vegas showgirls wear heavy headpieces, you should see some of the findings in the Ur exhibit. You'll start thanking your lucky stars your neck doesn't have to hold us such strain - even if the muscles were holding up solid gold.)

Todd's pieces are very reminiscent of these Sumerian works of art. Straightforward, elegant, natural, but completely and deliberately composed. he seems to recognize the natural beauty of the stones and the metal - without feeling the need to polish and buff them into perfection.

Lately there seems to be a proliferation of innovative jewelry designers. New spins on old classics, exotic accents, over-the-top opulence. Recession? What recession? If recent designs are any indication, the accessories market is hotter than ever.

This week is going to be all about jewelry. Baubles, bracelets, bangles, earrings, pretty things. These beauties? Stacking Rings by Asha and the even prettier Stacking Bracelets. Stunning, no?

The jewelry designers at J Crew are nothing short of amazing. These are positively stunning!

My wrist has never felt so naked. It serves me right for going back through my emails from Vivre. Blammo! Here is this beauty staring up at me like my long lost best friend. And the product description does nothing to sate my (now newly awakened) need for this bracelet. It begins like a novel, "Like a luminous molten lattice..." or a J. Peterman catalogue.

This woven beauty is by Kara Ross, gemologist and designer of jewelry and handbags. I'll be darned if she isn't just the cutest thing you've ever seen. In case you don't know her luxury brand, she won the FGI Rising Star Accessories Award in 2008.

I'll admit, I didn't know anything about her until I chased down this bracelet. But I love her style philosophy:

Makes me want that lovely molten latticework piece even more. For more on Kara, check out kararossny.com. I'm betting you'll soon be a fan as well.